07/06/2024
UGHANMHAN: The axe of terror
Here is Abeni Village nestled deep within the heart of Africa, surrounded by dense, mysterious forests and vibrant wildlife. The villagers lived simple lives, farming, hunting, and weaving tales of old around nightly fires. But beneath this tranquility, a dark presence lurked, embodied by a small, seemingly insignificant man named Akpapa. Though he was diminutive in stature, Akpapa wielded power that sent shivers down the spines of even the bravest souls.
Akpapa was an evil wizard, and his fearsome reputation was well-earned. He possessed an old, wooden axe, imbued with dark spiritual energy, which he used to kill those he perceived as threats. His magic was rooted in an ancient, towering tree hidden deep within the bush. This tree, with its gnarled bark and twisted branches, was a spiritual portal through which Akpapa could disappear and carry out his evil deeds unseen. By striking the tree with his axe and chanting dark incantations, he could travel anywhere his malevolent desires took him.
Akpapa’s ambition was limitless, and his heart was as black as the night. He had a daughter, Uki, whom he dreamed of making the next queen of Abeni. The village’s young widower prince, Ogie, had recently lost his wife under mysterious circumstances, which many suspected to be Akpapa’s doing. Ogie was a beacon of hope for the village, embodying the promise of a brighter future. But Akpapa sought to control this future through his daughter, aiming to make Uki the next queen by any means necessary.
In the same village lived a young orphan girl named Osee. Her parents had passed away, leaving her in the care of her uncle, a harsh and uncaring man who treated her like a servant. Life was a constant struggle for Osee, but she found solace in the forest, particularly under the ancient tree that Akpapa used for his dark deeds.
Unbeknownst to Osee, the tree had a spirit of its own. It had sensed her kindness and pure heart, and in turn, it provided her with comfort and peace. Osee would often sit under the tree, whispering her sorrows and dreams to its ancient bark. The tree, in some mystical way, seemed to listen and offer her solace.
One moonless night, the village’s respected healer, Otiti, was returning from a late call. She had been tending to a sick child and was making her way back through the forest. As she walked, she heard rustling in the bushes and saw a faint glow. Curious and concerned, she moved closer to investigate.
To her horror, she saw Akpapa performing a dark ritual, his axe gleaming ominously in the dim light of a fire. Otiti gasped, her instincts telling her to flee. But it was too late. Akpapa’s sharp ears caught the sound, and his piercing eyes met hers. Fear gripped her as he advanced, his small figure now towering in menace.
“You shouldn’t have seen this, Otiti,” Akpapa hissed, raising his enchanted axe.
“No, Akpapa please!” she pleaded. “I won’t tell anyone!”
But her words fell on deaf ears. With a swift, brutal motion, Akpapa brought the axe down. Otiti’s life ended that night, her body left in the forest, discovered by villagers the next morning. Fear spread like wildfire, but no one dared to accuse Akpapa openly.
Meanwhile, Osee continued to find solace under the ancient tree. She would often escape her uncle’s harsh treatment to sit by the tree, feeling a sense of peace and safety. One day, as she sat crying under the tree, the Prince happened upon her during his hunt. He was struck by her gentle spirit and kindness, traits that shone through despite her rough life. They began to talk, and soon, a friendship blossomed between them.
As time passed, Akpapa’s evil acts became bolder. The village chief’s advisor, Akali , had grown suspicious of the sudden deaths plaguing the village. Akali was wise and had long suspected that dark magic was at play. He began to investigate discreetly, determined to uncover the truth.
One evening, as Akali was returning from a secret meeting with elders who shared his concerns, he felt a chill run down his spine. He had heard whispers of Akapa's nightly activities and decided to follow him. Through the thick underbrush, Akali crept, his heart pounding.
Akpapa was in the midst of another ritual, the air thick with malevolent energy. Akali watched in horror as Akpapa communed with dark spirits. Just as Akali turned to leave, a twig snapped under his foot. Akpapa whirled around, his eyes glowing with unearthly light.
“Akali, Akali, you’ve seen too much,” Akpapa said, his voice dripping with malice. “You’ll meet the same fate as Otiti.”
Before Akali could react, Akpapa struck him down with his axe. Akali’s lifeless body was found the next day, adding another name to the list of mysterious deaths. The village was paralyzed with fear, and whispers about Akpapa’s dark powers grew louder, though still cloaked in secrecy.
Akpapa also decided to go to the scene of his horror in pretence. Running in a very funny way, with his small figure.This amused two little children, Ese and Ose , who were playing along the road near Akpapa’s house. They were young and carefree, and their laughter echoed through the air. As they played, Ese pointed at him saying:
“Look, it’s the tiny man!” as she giggled.
Ose joined in the laughter, making jokes about Akpapa’s height. Unbeknownst to them, Akpapa heard their mocking words. His face twisted with anger, and he decided to teach them a lesson they would never forget.
That night, Akpapa performed a dark ritual under the ancient tree, calling upon his malevolent powers. The next morning, the village awoke to find Ese blind and Ose crippled. Their parents were distraught, and the children’s laughter was replaced by cries of pain and confusion. The village was once again reminded of the dark presence that lurked among them.
Prince Ogie decided to visit Osee , and as they discuss their bond grew stronger. She told him about her struggles and dreams, and he found himself deeply moved by her strength and resilience.Then Osee decided to ask after Uki, and sometimes strange happened the Prince was unable to speak about her.
That evening Osee visited the tree as usual and decided to talk to the tree about the Prince visit and what happened. The tree decided to help Osee after seeing her genuine smile. Sensing the genuine connection between Prince Ogie and Osee , first broke off Akpapa’s spell that was cast on him to make him fall for Uki
Despite the darkness that Akpapa spread, Osee and ogie’s bond continued to grow. Ogie had decided to call off his engagement with Uki, feeling a true and pure love for Osee . The villagers were abuzz with excitement, thrilled that the kind-hearted orphan girl might become their future queen.
Ogie’s decision enraged Akpapa, who saw his dreams of power slipping away. He knew he had to act quickly to regain control. Under the cover of darkness, Akpapa grabbed his enchanted axe and made his way to the ancient tree.
In his desperation, Akpapa 's actions became even more reckless as he couldn't wait for the darkest hour of the night. One that fateful evening, Odia who was hunting heard some noise and decided to peep thinking it was a grasscutter, only to see Akpapa performing his rituals under the ancient tree. Odia’s heart raced as he realized the truth. Determined to expose Akpapa, Odia planned to gather the villagers and confront the evil wizard.
But Akpapa was always one step ahead. That night, he sensed someone was watching him. He said I will have to come back for Osee . Using his dark powers, he tracked Odia back to his home. As odia lay asleep, Akpapa appeared in his hut. With a swift, silent movement, he ended Odia's life with his axe. The next morning, the village awoke to yet another tragedy.
Now there was a problem and confusion, as the tree wondered how to help Osee out of this tragedy. The tree and Akpapa have a strong covenant nor where to interfere in each others business, as Akpapa sacrifices his height for the tree, just to use it as a gateway. Going against the oth can result in great danger and death.
As Akpapa’s rage grew, he decided to end Osee’s life once and for all. Under the cover of darkness, he performed his ritual at the ancient tree, demanding to be taken to the orphan girl. But the tree, having grown fond of Osee, decided to deceive the wicked wizard. Instead of transporting Akpapa to Osee, it landed him at the village shrine—a place of purity and light, where his dark magic held no power.
The village shrine was a sacred ground, protected by the ancestors and the village’s spiritual leaders. As soon as Akpapa arrived, the spiritual guardians, sensing his malevolent presence, awakened. The ancestors did not take kindly to Akpapa’s intrusion. The shrine’s magic turned against him, and he felt his face twist and deform under the weight of his evil deeds.
Akpapa screamed in agony, his cries echoing through the village. The villager elders who were present at the shrine saw the once-feared Akpapa, now a shadow of himself. He confessed to all his crimes—the murders, the blackmail, the wicked schemes and all.
The villagers were stunned to hear all that Akpapa has done, but were relieved and happy.The source of their terror had been unmasked. With his confession complete, Akpapa collapsed and died, and the villagers cried out in joy .
The next day Osee decided to go tell the tree of what happened as this has become a part of her, she was heartbroken to see the tree has burned to the ground.
The lesson is that evil never pays, there is always a day for reckoning.The axe of terror
Here is Abeni Village nestled deep within the heart of Africa, surrounded by dense, mysterious forests and vibrant wildlife. The villagers lived simple lives, farming, hunting, and weaving tales of old around nightly fires. But beneath this tranquility, a dark presence lurked, embodied by a small, seemingly insignificant man named Akpapa. Though he was diminutive in stature, Akpapa wielded power that sent shivers down the spines of even the bravest souls.
Akpapa was an evil wizard, and his fearsome reputation was well-earned. He possessed an old, wooden axe, imbued with dark spiritual energy, which he used to kill those he perceived as threats. His magic was rooted in an ancient, towering tree hidden deep within the bush. This tree, with its gnarled bark and twisted branches, was a spiritual portal through which Akpapa could disappear and carry out his evil deeds unseen. By striking the tree with his axe and chanting dark incantations, he could travel anywhere his malevolent desires took him.
Akpapa’s ambition was limitless, and his heart was as black as the night. He had a daughter, Uki, whom he dreamed of making the next queen of Abeni. The village’s young widower prince, Ogie, had recently lost his wife under mysterious circumstances, which many suspected to be Akpapa’s doing. Ogie was a beacon of hope for the village, embodying the promise of a brighter future. But Akpapa sought to control this future through his daughter, aiming to make Uki the next queen by any means necessary.
In the same village lived a young orphan girl named Osee. Her parents had passed away, leaving her in the care of her uncle, a harsh and uncaring man who treated her like a servant. Life was a constant struggle for Osee, but she found solace in the forest, particularly under the ancient tree that Akpapa used for his dark deeds.
Unbeknownst to Osee, the tree had a spirit of its own. It had sensed her kindness and pure heart, and in turn, it provided her with comfort and peace. Osee would often sit under the tree, whispering her sorrows and dreams to its ancient bark. The tree, in some mystical way, seemed to listen and offer her solace.
One moonless night, the village’s respected healer, Otiti, was returning from a late call. She had been tending to a sick child and was making her way back through the forest. As she walked, she heard rustling in the bushes and saw a faint glow. Curious and concerned, she moved closer to investigate.
To her horror, she saw Akpapa performing a dark ritual, his axe gleaming ominously in the dim light of a fire. Otiti gasped, her instincts telling her to flee. But it was too late. Akpapa’s sharp ears caught the sound, and his piercing eyes met hers. Fear gripped her as he advanced, his small figure now towering in menace.
“You shouldn’t have seen this, Otiti,” Akpapa hissed, raising his enchanted axe.
“No, Akpapa please!” she pleaded. “I won’t tell anyone!”
But her words fell on deaf ears. With a swift, brutal motion, Akpapa brought the axe down. Otiti’s life ended that night, her body left in the forest, discovered by villagers the next morning. Fear spread like wildfire, but no one dared to accuse Akpapa openly.
Meanwhile, Osee continued to find solace under the ancient tree. She would often escape her uncle’s harsh treatment to sit by the tree, feeling a sense of peace and safety. One day, as she sat crying under the tree, the Prince happened upon her during his hunt. He was struck by her gentle spirit and kindness, traits that shone through despite her rough life. They began to talk, and soon, a friendship blossomed between them.
As time passed, Akpapa’s evil acts became bolder. The village chief’s advisor, Akali , had grown suspicious of the sudden deaths plaguing the village. Akali was wise and had long suspected that dark magic was at play. He began to investigate discreetly, determined to uncover the truth.
One evening, as Akali was returning from a secret meeting with elders who shared his concerns, he felt a chill run down his spine. He had heard whispers of Akapa's nightly activities and decided to follow him. Through the thick underbrush, Akali crept, his heart pounding.
Akpapa was in the midst of another ritual, the air thick with malevolent energy. Akali watched in horror as Akpapa communed with dark spirits. Just as Akali turned to leave, a twig snapped under his foot. Akpapa whirled around, his eyes glowing with unearthly light.
“Akali, Akali, you’ve seen too much,” Akpapa said, his voice dripping with malice. “You’ll meet the same fate as Otiti.”
Before Akali could react, Akpapa struck him down with his axe. Akali’s lifeless body was found the next day, adding another name to the list of mysterious deaths. The village was paralyzed with fear, and whispers about Akpapa’s dark powers grew louder, though still cloaked in secrecy.
Akpapa also decided to go to the scene of his horror in pretence. Running in a very funny way, with his small figure.This amused two little children, Ese and Ose , who were playing along the road near Akpapa’s house. They were young and carefree, and their laughter echoed through the air. As they played, Ese pointed at him saying:
“Look, it’s the tiny man!” as she giggled.
Ose joined in the laughter, making jokes about Akpapa’s height. Unbeknownst to them, Akpapa heard their mocking words. His face twisted with anger, and he decided to teach them a lesson they would never forget.
That night, Akpapa performed a dark ritual under the ancient tree, calling upon his malevolent powers. The next morning, the village awoke to find Ese blind and Ose crippled. Their parents were distraught, and the children’s laughter was replaced by cries of pain and confusion. The village was once again reminded of the dark presence that lurked among them.
Prince Ogie decided to visit Osee , and as they discuss their bond grew stronger. She told him about her struggles and dreams, and he found himself deeply moved by her strength and resilience.Then Osee decided to ask after Uki, and sometimes strange happened the Prince was unable to speak about her.
That evening Osee visited the tree as usual and decided to talk to the tree about the Prince visit and what happened. The tree decided to help Osee after seeing her genuine smile. Sensing the genuine connection between Prince Ogie and Osee , first broke off Akpapa’s spell that was cast on him to make him fall for Uki
Despite the darkness that Akpapa spread, Osee and ogie’s bond continued to grow. Ogie had decided to call off his engagement with Uki, feeling a true and pure love for Osee . The villagers were abuzz with excitement, thrilled that the kind-hearted orphan girl might become their future queen.
Ogie’s decision enraged Akpapa, who saw his dreams of power slipping away. He knew he had to act quickly to regain control. Under the cover of darkness, Akpapa grabbed his enchanted axe and made his way to the ancient tree.
In his desperation, Akpapa 's actions became even more reckless as he couldn't wait for the darkest hour of the night. One that fateful evening, Odia who was hunting heard some noise and decided to peep thinking it was a grasscutter, only to see Akpapa performing his rituals under the ancient tree. Odia’s heart raced as he realized the truth. Determined to expose Akpapa, Odia planned to gather the villagers and confront the evil wizard.
But Akpapa was always one step ahead. That night, he sensed someone was watching him. He said I will have to come back for Osee . Using his dark powers, he tracked Odia back to his home. As odia lay asleep, Akpapa appeared into his hut. With a swift, silent movement, he ended Odia's life with his axe. The next morning, the village awoke to yet another tragedy.
Now there was a problem and confusion, as the tree wondered how to help Osee out of this tragedy. The tree and Akpapa have a strong covenant nor where to interfere in each other's business, as Akpapa sacrifices his height for the tree, just to use it as a gateway. Going against the oth can result in great danger and death.
As Akpapa’s rage grew, he decided to end Osee’s life once and for all. Under the cover of darkness, he performed his ritual at the ancient tree, demanding to be taken to the orphan girl. But the tree, having grown fond of Osee, decided to deceive the wicked wizard. Instead of transporting Akpapa to Osee, it landed him at the village shrine—a place of purity and light, where his dark magic held no power.
The village shrine was a sacred ground, protected by the ancestors and the village’s spiritual leaders. As soon as Akpapa arrived, the spiritual guardians, sensing his malevolent presence, awakened. The ancestors did not take kindly to Akpapa’s intrusion. The shrine’s magic turned against him, and he felt his face twist and deform under the weight of his evil deeds.
Akpapa screamed in agony, his cries echoing through the village. The villager elders who were present at the shrine saw the once-feared Akpapa, now a shadow of himself. He confessed to all his crimes—the murders, the blackmail, the wicked schemes and all.
The villagers were stunned to hear all that Akpapa has done, but were relieved and happy.The source of their terror had been unmasked. With his confession complete, Akpapa collapsed and died, and the villagers cried out in joy .
The next day Osee decided to go tell the tree of what happened as this has become a part of her, she was heartbroken to see the tree has burned to the ground.
The lesson is that evil never pays, there is always a day for reckoning.
